Wetting Cigars

[gr8tdanz]

Did a search and couldn't find anything on the topic of wetting your cigars before smoking. I have been doing some experiments with this. If you're not sure what wetting is I will explain.

First remove the band and any excess tobacco at the foot if it is a shaggy foot.

Hold the cigar, cap up and run cold water over it for a few seconds.

Pat dry with a paper towel and put in a ziploc bag for about 12 hours.

Return to your humidor.

Remove from bag and smoke.

From what I have read on other forums it is supposed to enhance the flavor. I personally have not noticed any flavor enhancement. I have however noticed if I had a line of sticks that were notorious for having a tight draw or prone to hard spots, wetting seemed to help. It also helped with some larger ring gauge smokes I had with construction problems whereas the wrapper would split while smoking. Non of the wetted sticks did this, pretty much all non-wetted did split.

The only real flavor change noted was if you have a stick that has a bitterness to the wrapper that transfers to your lips, this seems to reduce that as well.

So, anyone else out there wetting their cigars??

[Colt45]

There have been a few discussions on the topic - here are a couple of links, if you're interested:

Link1

Link2

[BobLobLaw]

After discussions similar to those Colt linked to I have tried it on occasion. Hard to say whether the flavor was enhanced, however I did not notice ANY ill effects from the wetting. I will probably continue to experiment with it from time to time.

[#2 man]

I like to dry box my cigars prior to smoking them this would be the complete opposite ! Don't get how that helps a tight draw?

[Fuzz]

I like to dry box my cigars prior to smoking them this would be the complete opposite ! Don't get how that helps a tight draw?

Maybe wetting down the wrapper lets it stretch instead of tear, allowing tight damp filler to expand?

[Don Candido]

I do not recommend this ever. The result is not something that can be predicted in many cases. It may work well for some smokes. I am guessing it will work poorly for far more.

The general guidelines for humidification changes with cigars over time is 1%/day. If you can control your secondary humidor well, you can take cigars from a resting place of 65-67% and increase their humidity over three to four days to 70%.

I like to age at 65% and smoke at 70%, but I rarely bring smokes up to the 70%. It is easier to simply pull from my aging stock when I want to smoke.

I am guessing there are plenty of views in the links Colt listed above.

[Guest Elektrobot]

You're joking- right?

[gr8tdanz]

First off, Colt thanks for the links. Interesting reads.

I am the first to admit, I thought it was completely nuts when my friend sent me the info on it. Then being an engineer by trade I decided I would try it.

I too was concerned about "soaking" my cigar. But the natural oils in the wrapper repel a vast majority of the water. Remember, you are only running the water over it for a few seconds and toweling it off immediately after.

I used some Kristoffs, Criollo Matador and a Maduro Matador and a Cain 660 for the test. These were chosen because I have smoked enough of them to be very familiar with the flavor profile. Unfortunately I don't have enough Cubans to take a chance on ruining them, so none were used. They are all kept in my humi at 67% +/- 2% humidity and 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Both Kristoffs have had issues with tight draw and hard spots. I tried rolling them on the table to loosen them up and a draw enhancer pen but nothing really worked. I had almost given up on them. After wetting the first one, the Maduro, and smoking it that night the draw was perfect. Now my engineer brain decided it was a fluke, I figured I had just lucked out and grabbed a good one. So the experiment continued the next day with another of the same. Again favorable draw results.

Next 2 days I switched to the Criollo. Same results, perfect draw. So now I am racking my brain trying to figure out why it helped. Still no discernible answer.

The following 2 days became the Cains turn. Never had draw problems with these other than clip it too much and they were very loose. I have had problems though with wrapper splitting about halfway into the second third. Well wouldn't you know it, first one, no split. Second one same result. Now this I could explain thinking the wrapper became more pliable. I have even had good results with wetting it an hour before smoking. Now when I do this I don't bag it, I just leave it set out until it's time to smoke.

The article sent to me was touting the flavor enhancemant aspect. I personally didn't notice any boost in flavor or any changes. The one side note I did notice that is flavor related, it seems to reduce the bitter taste of some wrappers.

I wish I had a clear cut answer to how it helps the draw but I don't. All I know is it works for the sticks I tried. And, I did not ruin any smokes doing this. I don't wet all my cigars, only ones I like but have had chronic issues with.

[benjaminbbush]

Very interesting. Like FullBodied, I shall have to experiment in the name of science. Do you think my wife will buy that?

[thechenman]

I've tried this experiment as well. Honestly, I did not notice any enhancement in flavor...what it did help with was the wrapper. I tried this during the winter time which is really dry up here in the Northeast. I was experiencing problems with my wrapper slipping, and this seemed to resolve this issue. That said...for some reason I haven't revisited this method.

[stargazer14]

I wouldn't try it with my cubans, but anything will help those NC's to smoke better.

[gr8tdanz]

Good input from all. Sowega, I may not be the best to ask about wives considering my new anniversary, divorce anniversary that is, is right around the corner.

The good news is the approval committee on buying more cigars has been reduced to 1 member. Funny how that worked out.

[kcheek]

The good news is the approval committee on buying more cigars has been reduced to 1 member. Funny how that worked out.

LOL!

[thechenman]

Good input from all. Sowega, I may not be the best to ask about wives considering my new anniversary, divorce anniversary that is, is right around the corner.

The good news is the approval committee on buying more cigars has been reduced to 1 member. Funny how that worked out.

I guess there can be a bright side to just about anything...

[#2 man]

Maybe wetting down the wrapper lets it stretch instead of tear, allowing tight damp filler to expand?

great maybe! here's my question if you wet something and throw it in plastic so it cannot breath will it not absorb even more moisture giving you a damper filler? then back to you humi? for how long? Takes all the spontaneity out of it

[frenchkiwi]

great maybe! here's my question if you wet something and throw it in plastic so it cannot breath will it not absorb even more moisture giving you a damper filler? then back to you humi? for how long?

Takes all the spontaneity out of it

yeah kinda like smoking through a condom or am i getting my metaphors in a twist here ?

[#2 man]

yeah kinda like smoking through a condom or am i getting my metaphors in a twist here ?

Hard enough getting that smell out of your fingers

[gr8tdanz]

great maybe! here's my question if you wet something and throw it in plastic so it cannot breath will it not absorb even more moisture giving you a damper filler? then back to you humi? for how long? Takes all the spontaneity out of it

Remember to remove excess moisture with a paper towel prior to putting it in the bag. I let them sit for 12 hours.

I totally agree on the spontaneity aspect. I did this more as an experiment than a new method of smoking. I don't know about the rest of you but I find it hard to decide what stick I'm going to be in the mood for 12 hours later when I first get up. As a rule I do not routinely wet my cigars. Again it was done in the name of science to test a theory, that's all.

[DOORJOK]

I've taken a 10 yr Single malt or Gentleman jack whiskey and coated the sides of a cigar many times before smoking to enhance the spiciness and slow down the Burn of the wrapper. However, this was always done just prior to light up. I have never tried what you are talking about, but then again, I tend to have my smoke breaks in life just kinda happen instead of planning on them for a day or so. Interesting Post to read for sure.

[BobLobLaw]

They way I heard and have tried is to run under water right before smoking not to put it back in your humidor for 12 hours. I do not have the best palate so its hard to say whether the flavors are enhanced. From my recollection of many of these threads over a number of boards I do not recall ANYONE who tried it ever reporting negative results meaning worse flavor and/or horrible burn. The most common response seems to be that the cigar burned well (surprisingly) and no noticeable affect on flavor. I also think (if I recall correctly) that this method is supposed to be better for more nuanced marcas such as Upmann, LGC, etc . . .

I find this topic fascinating.

[laficion]

How's about giving the cigar a shampoo ??,

it may help with the tight draw, but also giving the smoke a beautiful volume.

" Because you're worth it "

[gr8tdanz]

How's about giving the cigar a shampoo ??,

it may help with the tight draw, but also giving the smoke a beautiful volume.

" Because you're worth it "

That only works of you're trying to increase the ring gauge. An hour in the dryer on high also works to reduce the ring gauge.